Cooking device-accommodating assembly

ABSTRACT

A cooking device-accommodating assembly includes a main counter, left and right counters disposed respectively at left and right sides of the main counter in such a manner that the left and right counters cooperate with the main counter to define an accommodating space thereamong for receiving a cooking device therein, and a fastening unit including screw rods and nuts for fastening the left and right counters to the main counter.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a cooking device-accommodating assembly, more particularly to a modular cooking device-accommodating assembly for outdoor use.

2. Description of the Related Art

A conventional kitchen counter for accommodating cooking devices, such as stoves, sinks, and ovens, is relatively large, and is not design for outdoor use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, the object of this invention is to provide a cooking device-accommodating assembly that is designed for outdoor use.

According to the present invention, a cooking device-accommodating assembly for accommodating cooking devices is provided. The cooking device-accommodating assembly comprises: a main counter having left and right sides and including a main skeleton and a main top, the main skeleton having top and bottom ends, and including left and right frames that extend from the top end to the bottom end of the main skeleton, and main cross-bars that interconnect the left and right frames, the main top being mounted on the top end of the main skeleton; left and right counters disposed respectively at the left and right sides of the main counter, each of the left and right counters including a side skeleton and a side top, the side skeleton having top and bottom ends and including inner and outer frames that extend from the top end to the bottom end of the side skeleton, and cross-bars that interconnect the inner and outer frames, the inner frame of the side skeleton of each of the left and right counters being disposed adjacent to a respective one of the left and right frames of the main skeleton, the side top being mounted on the top end of the side skeleton, the left and right counters cooperating with the main counter to define an accommodating space thereamong for receiving a cooking device therein; and a fastening unit including screw rods and nuts for fastening the inner frame of the side skeleton of each of the left and right counters to the respective one of the left and right frames of the main skeleton.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the first preferred embodiment of a cooking device-accommodating assembly according to this invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view to illustrate how skeletons of the first preferred embodiment are connected each other;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view of a main skeleton of the first preferred embodiment;

FIGS. 4 and 5 are fragmentary sectional views to illustrate how the main skeleton is fastened to a side skeleton through a pair of brackets of the first preferred embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the second preferred embodiment according to this invention;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the third preferred embodiment according to this invention;

FIG. 8 is a partly exploded perspective view of the fourth preferred embodiment according to this invention; and

FIG. 9 is a sectional view to illustrate how two counters are spaced apart through a spacer of the fourth preferred embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Before the present invention is described in greater detail, it should be noted that same reference numerals have been used to denote like elements throughout the specification.

FIGS. 1 to 5 illustrate the first preferred embodiment of a cooking device-accommodating assembly for accommodating cooking devices, such as gas stove, ovens, and cooking pots, according to this invention.

The cooking device-accommodating assembly includes: a main counter 2 having left and right sides and including a main skeleton 21 and a main top 22, the main skeleton 21 having top and bottom ends, and including left and right frames 211 that extend from the top end to the bottom end of the main skeleton 21, and main cross-bars 213 that interconnect the left and right frames 211, the main top 22 being mounted on the top end of the main skeleton 21; left and right counters 3 disposed respectively at the left and right sides of the main counter 2, each of the left and right counters 3 including a side skeleton 31 and a side top 32, the side skeleton 31 having top and bottom ends and including inner and outer frames 311, 312 that extend from the top end to the bottom end of the side skeleton 31, and cross-bars 313 that interconnect the inner and outer frames 311, 312, the inner frame 311 of the side skeleton 31 of each of the left and right counters 3 being disposed adjacent to a respective one of the left and right frames 211 of the main skeleton 21, the side top 32 being mounted on the top end of the side skeleton 31, the left and right counters 3 cooperating with the main counter 2 to form a U-shaped structure and to define an accommodating space 30 thereamong for receiving a cooking device 10, such as a gas stove, therein; and a fastening unit 4 including screw rods 41 that extend through the inner frame 311 of the side skeleton 31 of each of the left and right counters 3 and the respective one of the left and right frames 211 of the main skeleton 21, and nuts 42 that engage threadedly and respectively the screw rods 41 so as to fasten the inner frame 311 of the side skeleton 31 of each of the left and right counters 3 to the respective one of the left and right frames 211 of the main skeleton 21 and so as to facilitate detachment of the left and right counters 3 from the main counter 2.

In this embodiment, each of the left and right frames 211 is rectangular in shape, and includes four rectangular tubes 212 that are made from metal and that are connected to each other. Each of the inner and outer frames 311, 312 is rectangular in shape, and includes a pair of lateral tubes 315 that are made from metal and that are parallel to each other, and a pair of vertical tubes that are made from metal, that are parallel to each other, and that are connected to the lateral tubes 315.

The main counter 2 further includes a plurality of firewall panels 23 (see FIG. 3). One of the firewall panels 23 is sandwiched between the top end of the main skeleton 21 and the main top 22. The remainder of the firewall panels 23 are mounted on an interior of the main skeleton 21. A metal panel 24 is mounted on an exterior of the main skeleton 21 at a rear side of the main skeleton 21 (see FIG. 3).

Each of the left and right counters 3 further includes a plurality of firewall panels 33 (see FIG. 5). One of the firewall panels 33 is sandwiched between the top end of the side skeleton 31 and the side top 32. The remainder of the firewall panels 33 (only one is shown) are mounted on an interior of the side skeleton 31. A plurality of metal panels 34 (see FIG. 1) are mounted on an exterior of the side skeleton 31, and are respectively disposed at front and rear sides and an outer side of the side skeleton 31.

Each of the main skeleton 21 and the side skeleton 31 is provided with wheels 25, 35 so as to facilitate moving of the cooking device-accommodating assembly during use.

Each of the left and right counters 3 further includes a pair of brackets 314 (see FIG. 4) that are secured to an upper one of the lateral tubes 315 of the inner frame 311 of the side skeleton 31 and that extend therefrom toward an adjacent one of the left and right frames 211 of the main skeleton 21. Each of the brackets 314 has an L-shaped hook end 3141 that engages releasably the respective one of the left and right frames 211 of the main skeleton 21 so as to retain the respective one of the left and right frames 211 of the main skeleton 21 in a recess defined by the L-shaped hook end 3141 and so as to juxtapose the inner frame 311 of the side skeleton 31 and the respective one of the left and right frames 211 of the main skeleton 21.

Each of the metal panels 24, 34 is coated with a protective coating that is made from a material resistant to oxidation and corrosion. The main top 22 of the main counter 2 is attached to the firewall panel 23, which is mounted on the top end of the main skeleton 21, through a resin material. The side top 32 of each of the left and right counters 3 is attached to the firewall panel 33, which is mounted on the top end of the side skeleton 31, through the resin material.

Preferably, each of the main top 22 and the side top 32 is made from a material selected from the group consisting of tiles, stainless steel, artificial stones, and marble, which are easy to clean and resistant to thermal deformation.

FIG. 6 illustrates the second preferred embodiment of the cooking device-accommodating assembly according to this invention. The cooking device-accommodating assembly of this embodiment differs from the previous embodiment in that two additional counters 3′, which have structures the same as those of the left and right counters 3, are respectively connected to the rear sides of the left and right counters 3, and cooperate with the main counter 2 to define a recess thereamong to accommodate another cooking device 10′ therein.

FIG. 7 illustrates the third preferred embodiment of the cooking device-accommodating assembly according to this invention. The cooking device-accommodating assembly of this embodiment differs from the previous embodiments in that a secondary counter 5 is detachably connected to an adjacent one of the left and right counters 3, and an additional counter 3′, which has a structure similar to those of the left and right counters 3, is connected to the secondary counter 5. The secondary counter 5 has the structure similar to those of the left and right counters 3, and includes a skeleton (not shown) and a secondary top 52 that is mounted on a top end of the skeleton and that is formed with an opening 53 for mounting of another cooking device (not shown) such as a cooking pot, therein.

FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate the fourth preferred embodiment of the cooking device-accommodating assembly according to this invention. The cooking device-accommodating assembly of this embodiment differs from the previous embodiments in that two spacers 6 are disposed between an adjacent one of the left and right frames 211 of the main skeleton 21 and the inner frame 311 of the side skeleton 31 of an adjacent one of the left and right counters 3 so as to form a gap 40 therebetween and so as to increase the width of the accommodating space 30.

In this embodiment, each of the spacers 6 includes a plurality of U-shaped spacing plates 61 that are removably mounted and stacked on the screw rods 41 so as to permit adjustment of the width of the gap 40 by using a desired quantity of the spacing plates 61. With the inclusion of the spacers 6 in the cooking device-accommodating assembly of this invention, the width of the accommodating space 30 can be adjusted so as to accommodate different sizes of the cooking devices.

A cover 62 is disposed and extends between the side top 32 and the main top 22 so as to cover the gap 40. Each of the side top 32, the main top 22, and the cover 62 has an upper surface. The upper surfaces of the side top 32, the main top 22, and the cover 62 are flush with one other so as to form a continuous flat surface thereamong.

With the inclusion of the fastening unit 4 in the cooking device-accommodating assembly of this invention, the cooking device-accommodating assembly becomes detachable, which facilitates transport and movement of the same during outdoor use.

While the present invention has been described in connection with what is considered the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is understood that this invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretations and equivalent arrangements. 

1. A cooking device-accommodating assembly for accommodating cooking devices, said cooking device-accommodating assembly comprising: a main counter having left and right sides and including a main skeleton and a main top, said main skeleton having top and bottom ends, and including left and right frames that extend from said top end to said bottom end of said main skeleton, and main cross-bars that interconnect said left and right frames, said main top being mounted on said top end of said main skeleton; left and right counters disposed respectively at said left and right sides of said main counter, each of said left and right counters including a side skeleton and a side top, said side skeleton having top and bottom ends and including inner and outer frames that extend from said top end to said bottom end of said side skeleton, and cross-bars that interconnect said inner and outer frames, said inner frame of said side skeleton of each of said left and right counters being disposed adjacent to a respective one of said left and right frames of said main skeleton, said side top being mounted on said top end of said side skeleton, said left and right counters cooperating with said main counter to define an accommodating space thereamong for receiving a cooking device therein; and a fastening unit including screw rods and nuts for fastening said inner frame of said side skeleton of each of said left and right counters to the respective one of said left and right frames of said main skeleton.
 2. The cooking device-accommodating assembly of claim 1, wherein said main counter further includes a plurality of firewall panels, one of said firewall panels being sandwiched between said top end of said main skeleton and said main top, the remainder of said firewall panels being mounted on an interior of said main skeleton.
 3. The cooking device-accommodating assembly of claim 2, wherein said main skeleton further has a rear side, said main counter further including a metal panel that is mounted on an exterior of said main skeleton at said rear side of said main skeleton.
 4. The cooking device-accommodating assembly of claim 1, wherein each of said left and right counters further includes a plurality of firewall panels, one of said firewall panels being sandwiched between said top end of said side skeleton and said side top, the remainder of said firewall panels being mounted on an interior of said side skeleton.
 5. The cooking device-accommodating assembly of claim 4, wherein said side skeleton further has front and rear sides and an outer side, each of said left and right counters further including a plurality of metal panels that are mounted on an exterior of said side skeleton and that are respectively disposed at said front and rear sides and said outer side of said side skeleton.
 6. The cooking device-accommodating assembly of claim 1, further comprising at least a spacer that is disposed between an adjacent one of said left and right frames of said main skeleton and said inner frame of said side skeleton of an adjacent one of said left and right counters so as to form a gap therebetween.
 7. The cooking device-accommodating assembly of claim 6, wherein said spacer includes a plurality of spacing plates that are removably mounted and stacked on said screw rods so as to permit adjustment of said gap by using a desired quantity of said spacing plates.
 8. The cooking device-accommodating assembly of claim 6, further comprising at least a cover that extends between said side top and said main top so as to cover said gap, each of said side top, said main top, and said cover having an upper surface, said upper surfaces of said side top, said main top, and said cover being flush with one other.
 9. The cooking device-accommodating assembly of claim 1, wherein each of said left and right counters further includes at least a bracket that is secured to said inner frame of said side skeleton and that extends therefrom toward an adjacent one of said left and right frames of said main skeleton, said bracket having an L-shaped hook end that engages releasably the respective one of said left and right frames of said main skeleton.
 10. The cooking device-accommodating assembly of claim 1, wherein each of said main top and said side top is made from a material selected from the group consisting of tiles, stainless steel, artificial stones, and marble.
 11. The cooking device-accommodating assembly of claim 1, wherein each of said main skeleton and said side skeleton is provided with wheels.
 12. The cooking device-accommodating assembly of claim 1, further comprising a secondary counter that is detachably connected to an adjacent one of said left and right counters, said secondary counter including a secondary top that is formed with an opening for mounting of another cooking device therein. 